Episode 1

...ChApTeR OnE...

"Hear Ye, Hear ye" the announcer said, Loud and stern as everyone quieted down. "On this day, the year of the panda and the tenth of the tenth month gives our crown prince his luck as he turns ten years old" said the announcer he then stepped down as the queen came up to say a few words. "Thank you all for being here, today is Alexander's seventh birthday he is incredibly lucky to have his golden birthday, so early and as a mother I can't be more proud of his achievements so everyone raise your glasses and toast to my son" it was more of a command to toast to the crown prince, but she was able masterfully hide it and smiled warm and brightly.

"To the crown prince" everyone said toasting to him. Alexander looked around while enjoying the sweets he was far too young for wine from the kitchen. The staff always prepared grape juice or what he preferred. As he walked around speaking to the Lords and Dukes he caught the glimpse of a palace maid, young just like him, but she stood out so he went over.

"State your name" Alexander said in a soft command to not draw too much attention to her. "Elora your Highness, is there anything I can do for you? Your Highness" Elora said simply and gave courtesy. He stared at her trying to figure out, something as if he had tasted something sweet but forgot the name of the sweets. "What a lovely name" Alexander said softly "too bad it's wasted on a servant" his pupils dilated realizing he can be as cruel as his mother. Elora was hurt but couldn't talk back she needed to stay here, within the palace the only place she could live and earn money. "Do not take to heart"... Alexander eyes widen slightly hearing another voice. "It"... Elora said not realizing what she just did "do not take it to heart".

"You... you cut me off" Alexander said slightly shocked he simply composed himself and reprimanded her "never cut me off again" Alexander said firmly. "But don't take it to heart" Alexander said softly. "I... I'm so sorry your Highness, I didn't mean to... it's a bad habit of mine please forgive me" Elora said in a hurry truly not meaning any harm.

"Don't let it happen again" Alexander said then left to mingle around but feeling something, something new towards Elora, her face, her eyes, the way she simply stood out just as being a maid. It was something new to him being only ten but so many expectations. Alexander is still learning the big words, but he gave her a scent, "mint" Alexander said.

Alexander's thoughts began to drown out hearing the classical music and chattering nobles broke his focus on Elora which was a good thing, it's his birthday tonight but also a Royal ball planned to how his mother likes it, how she used him and planned his life. Thankfully for Alexander being young also means retiring to his chambers early so that's what he did. "Mother I'm tired, so I'll retire to my chambers, I had a good time for my birthday" Alexander said loud enough to beat the music. "Already? Alright then you're still young, have someone escort you back sleep well" the queen said her expression gives off nothing years of masking behind to be a good mother especially in front of other nobles.

Alexander was surprised she agreed because she's always ranting on and on about connections for political reasons, never any mother and son time but then again she was in public. Alexander went to his chambers not bothering a maid for something so simple and unnecessary. As he walked down the long halls of the palace Royal guards standing at least three to ten feet apart all the way down, halls decorated with family photos dating back six generations of his great 6x grandfather at the start of it all.

Alexander reached his chamber doors his fathers' portrait was covered, to him this was unacceptable so he took the cover off seeing the glass needed to be clean, he balled his fists knowing this was his mother's doing. He simply kept his composer and called a guard over. "Leave your post" Alexander said as he turned his head to the guard "And come here" he said calmly while giving an order turning his head back to the portrait. The guard respectfully stepped out from his post of attention and executed a left face the forward match went towards Alexander halting at three feet back kneeling down to place right hand over his chest as he formed a fist. "Yes your Highness" the guard said respectively.

Alexander looked at the portrait thinking of the worst thing he could see on his birthday, the golden birthday of three tens he said to the guard "Have someone clean this, I want spotless nothing less" he went into his chambers. The guard stood up and turned using the rear march command. "Yes your Highness" the guard went to relay his order to the nearest maid that wasn't busy. "An order from his Highness" the guard said standing in front of her. "He wants the portrait of our late majesty cleaned and spotless as soon as possible" the guard said. "Understood I'll get on it now" the maid said and with that the guard left going back to his post using rear march to turn and leave the room, forward march to walk down the halls, halt to stop at his post, then a right face to face the other side of the ball finally standing at attention.

The maid the guard asked was Elora she was finished with her duties for the ball, and she was the closet with free time on her hands. Elora didn't know if she could clean the portrait of the late king she was only ten, but her height was at least four feet two already, despite that problem she grabbed a bucket and cleaning supplies and went to clean the portrait.

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